A White House spokesman said that the actor -- who startled viewers with his abrupt departure from hit series "House" this spring in order to take a White House job -- is this morning beginning his first day as an associate director in the White House's Office of Public Engagement.

Penn, 31, was busy and highly visible campaigner for President Obama last year. He told us in April he's committing to at least a year or two in Washington, during which time he won't accept any acting gigs. In the new job, he'll work primarily with the youth, arts and Asian American communities.